Huckleberry Finn as a Lion

Summary: Explores the Mark Twain classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Examines the morals of characters in the novel. Relates the characters to a painting (Lion Hunt) by Sir Peter Paul Rubens. Explores how the painting symbolizes the character's morals (adventure, pity, and greed.

Not one animal has been given more attention in art and literature than the lion, referenced at least one-hundred and thirty times in the Bible. The Lion Hunt and The Lion depict human characteristics that reoccur in Huck's daily life. Art illustrates the truth of human experience through paintings, novels, and sculpture. The paintings by Sir Peter Paul Rubens symbolize the character's morals (adventure, pity, and greed) in the novel Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

Both show fear in the eyes of both men and lions. It is natural instinct for such individuals to fear the unknown or what is a potential threat. Throughout the novel Huck does not know the difference between what is right and wrong, for example when he contemplates whether to turn Jim in or not, he begins to question his morals from society. Huck's morals affect several characters who find Huck's change to...